Young adults’ perceptions of food classification and barriers to healthy eating: A qualitative study from Indian metropolises
1
Bagchi School of Public Health, Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad, India
2
Department of Home Science, Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
3
School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A51
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Globalization of the Indian dietary landscape has fueled obesogenic eating habits including deficient intakes of fresh fruits and vegetables and excessive consumption of food high in fat, sugar and salt among its younger cohort. Young adults’ classification of healthy and unhealthy meals and snacks is likely to have important repercussions for their food consumption behavior, and subsequently, their long-term health. Nonetheless, there is scant evidence on how young adults in India classify meals and snacks as healthy or unhealthy. In this light, the present qualitative research inquiry was designed to gather first-hand information about the ways urban Indian young adults classify foods as healthy or unhealthy.
METHODS:
Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were employed to recruit young adults (aged: 19 years – 29 years) from eight Indian metropolitan cities. Through a social constructivist lens, in-depth interviews were carried out either face-to-face or virtually between December 2024 and November 2025. The conversations were recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis. Interview transcripts were transferred to NVivo software and analyzed using open coding.
RESULTS:
Sixty-eight participants (51% female) completed the interviews. Two main themes and associated sub-themes were identified during data analysis: (i) Classification of healthy and unhealthy food (Type of food preparation, Presence of sugar, Food preparation venue, Frequency of consumption of meal or snack, Health complications, Food processing and packaging, Nutrient composition and food groups, Price); (ii) Challenges to healthy eating (Easy availability and accessibility of unhealthy food, Healthy food is expensive, Negative peer influence, Decline in domestic cooking, Independent living).
CONCLUSIONS:
The study sample acknowledged various food classification criteria adopted by them to classify healthy and unhealthy foods. Simultaneously, they also identified various challenges to healthy eating. Tailored interventions to overcome the challenges to healthy eating should be developed to promote healthy eating in urban Indian young adults.
Globalization of the Indian dietary landscape has fueled obesogenic eating habits including deficient intakes of fresh fruits and vegetables and excessive consumption of food high in fat, sugar and salt among its younger cohort. Young adults’ classification of healthy and unhealthy meals and snacks is likely to have important repercussions for their food consumption behavior, and subsequently, their long-term health. Nonetheless, there is scant evidence on how young adults in India classify meals and snacks as healthy or unhealthy. In this light, the present qualitative research inquiry was designed to gather first-hand information about the ways urban Indian young adults classify foods as healthy or unhealthy.
METHODS:
Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were employed to recruit young adults (aged: 19 years – 29 years) from eight Indian metropolitan cities. Through a social constructivist lens, in-depth interviews were carried out either face-to-face or virtually between December 2024 and November 2025. The conversations were recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis. Interview transcripts were transferred to NVivo software and analyzed using open coding.
RESULTS:
Sixty-eight participants (51% female) completed the interviews. Two main themes and associated sub-themes were identified during data analysis: (i) Classification of healthy and unhealthy food (Type of food preparation, Presence of sugar, Food preparation venue, Frequency of consumption of meal or snack, Health complications, Food processing and packaging, Nutrient composition and food groups, Price); (ii) Challenges to healthy eating (Easy availability and accessibility of unhealthy food, Healthy food is expensive, Negative peer influence, Decline in domestic cooking, Independent living).
CONCLUSIONS:
The study sample acknowledged various food classification criteria adopted by them to classify healthy and unhealthy foods. Simultaneously, they also identified various challenges to healthy eating. Tailored interventions to overcome the challenges to healthy eating should be developed to promote healthy eating in urban Indian young adults.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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